Food processing apparatus



Feb. 5, 1952 w, KRUEGER 7 2,584,473.

FOOD'PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1948 1o Sheets-Sheet 1mvzu'ron' my IVK m muss ER rzwgm ATTORNEYS F. w. KRUEGER FOOD PROCESSINGAPPARATUS Feb. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1948 INVENTOR mum: w. muss ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 F. w. KRUEGER- FOOD PROCESSINGAPPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 20, 1948 INVENTOR FRIIVK IV.KRIIEBER ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 F. w. K-RUEGER FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUSFiled July 20, 1948 16 sheets-sheet 4 FRANK W. KIN/565R ATTORNEYS 1952F. w. KRUEGER FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 20,1948 1952 F. w. KRUEGER FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS 1O Sheets-Sheet 6Filed July 20, 1948 INVENTOR FRANK IV. KRUE6ER.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 w, KRUEGER 2,584,473

ROCESSING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 F. W. KRUEGERFOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS Feb. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 20,1948 W W-HRHL m u 1 MN (N nmvx 'w. muses)? ATTORNEYS Feb. 1952 v F. w.KRUEGER FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS vl0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 20, 1948IIII II TH HH E v INVENTOR FRANK W. ARUEGER ATTOVVRNE'YS Feb. 5, 1952 w,KRUEGER 2,584,473

FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 3% I II II N I 81 4:

(D I I I III' II III I I I I II i9 ll I I I (\z I l M1,; I I I I I III HI III M I I III I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Q W M N 1 AM I v III I is fx I] I i I MI I I I l 1 N g I II I M M W m E H H 73 F; o o in v #2523:

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 5, 1 952 FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS Frank WilhelmKrueger, Saratoga, Calif., assignor to Foo'dMachinery and ChemicalCorporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application July 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,772

1 11 Claims.

- 1 The present invention relates generally to that class of machines orapparatus in the canning art of the type known as cookers, coolers andthe like in which food products such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fishand other comestibles, in containers or cans, are subjected to atreating medium for heating, cooling, sterilizing and other efiectsduring their slow and continuous passage through the machineorapparatus;and more specifically, but not necessarily limited thereto, to machinesand apparatus of this specified type wherein the cans in such passageare devoid of rotation and there is desired heat penetration along thelongitudinal axesofthecans.

Certain aspects of the present invention may be present in either aso-called horizontal type of cooker, cooler; exhaust box and the like ofthe type shown in my copending U. S. patent ap-' plication Serial No.39,773 filed on even date herewith wherein the cans in such passagearerotated alternately in opposite directions about their axes or in avertical type of cooker or cooler shown herein wherein there isdesiredheat penetration along the longitudinal axes of the cans. For the sakeof simplicity and convenience, the present invention is described withreference to cookers and coolers thoughit is understood that theinvention is not limited thereto, since certain aspects thereof areapplicablegenerally'to machines and apparatus, in the canning art,through which cans are carried for the purpose of treating theircontents by the use of a suitable treating medium. Further, while theapparatus shown'he'rein is of the closed or pressure type,

certain aspects'of the invention embodied in' such apparatus maylikewise be embodied in apparatus of the open or atmospheric type.

Further, even though the apparatus described herein is shownspecifically in relationship only'to cooker and cooler apparatus of theso-called vertical type in which the can inlet and can outlet of theapparatus are necessarily spaced from one another in the verticaldirection, it is understood however that certain constructional featuresherein'may be utilized in cookers or coolers of the horizontal type asshown in my above mentioned copending application filed-on even dateherewith. Recourse may be had to the disclosure in my 'above mentionedcopending application in order'to more fully understand and appreciatethe range of equivalents and scope to which the appended claims areentitled and for that purpose, the disclosure in my above mentionedcopending application is incorporated herein by this referencethereto. l

While the cooker-cooler arrangement shown in my above mentionedcopending application may be used as apparatus of the horizontal type orof the vertical type, depending upon the orientation of the axis of thecylindrical shell enclosing the apparatus, the arrangements disclosedspecifically herein are particularly useful in apparatus of the verticaltype for the reason that the apparatus incorporates structure wherebythe cans in their transit through the apparatus are so supported thatroom is allowed for expansion of their bulging ends to thereby assurethe prevention of removal of the tin coat normally on such bulging ends.

Prior cookers, coolers, and the like, as exemplified in the Thompson U.S. Patent 2,363,818 incorporate a can carrying and guiding meansarranged to move cans spirally through such cooker or cooler. In theseprior arrangements, the cans are moved essentially only along the insidewall of a cylindrical shell housing those means. In accordance with someaspects of the present invention the cans travel not only adjacent tothe inside surface of the cylindrical shell but also move radially.inwardly and outwardly from and to the cylindrical shell to utilize moreefliciently the interior space of the shell whereby: a longer can pathresults; the apparatus is more compact to obtain economical use of floorspace without sacrifice of an extensive can path; the travel of the'cansis smooth; more economical use of the heating medium results.

The cans, in such case, move from the can inlet of the food treatmentcompartment, shell or chamber to the can outlet thereof in a helicoid alpath of a plurality of convolutions, each convolution, in turn,'having aplurality of curved adjoining sections, to impart a plurality of zigzagmotions to a can in one convolution of travel around the shell. I

The present invention relates particularly to machines of this characterin which the means for advancing the cans through the cooker or cooler,as the case may-be, is composed of a plu rality of star wheels which bytheir relative synchronous rotation, and the association of adirectional co-operating canway or can guideway, move the canssuccessively and continuously'from one star wheel to thenext to achievethe desired motion.

While the cans are conveyed by a series of rotating star. wheels andguided by suitable means in a zigzag path, they are subjected to a'steambath It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus of the character described in which the can capacityper convolution is increased whereby its structure may be made morecompact as compared with conventional constructions to thereby obtainthe above mentioned advantages.

A specific object o f the presentinventionis to provide 'animprovedcooker which permits the use of a fewer number of units for productsrequiring long cooking periods, such as fish and meat products.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved apparatusof thecharacter described which may a'ccommodatein theorder of three times as many c'a'nsper'foot as present day apparatus ofthe same over-all dimensions.

Another specific object of the present invention path havingapluralityof convolutionseach convolution comprising a plurality ofadjoining curved sections for-increasing the length of the spiral pathwhereby the apparatus may be made compact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatusof the character described in which substantially no rotative movementabout the axis of a'can is imparted to the can in its movement throughthe apparatus.

Yet another specific object of the present invention is to provideimproved apparatus of the character described for the subjection of thecans and their contents to any desired degree of ternperature with aminimum amount of heating medium and at the same time toenable'thec'ook-'ing of such "contents for any desired length of time. v a

Stillaf-urther specific object of the :present invention is to providea'cooker or cooler in which containers move in a serpentine, tortuous orsinuous path whereby the'c'ooker or cooler may occupy a limited floorspace.

Yet a further specific object of the present invention is to provideimproved apparatus of the character described having, a cylindrical"outer shell in which containers are moved heliocoidally in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell with acharacteristic tortuous, sinuous or serpentine movement-in the radialdirectionof the shell.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved apparatus of the character described in which cans are handledin their movement therethrough in such a man-.- ner as to minimize thepossibility of the removal of the tin coating normally present on theexteriorof such cans, particularly the :ends of the cans which usuallybulge out when heat is ap-'- plied to the contents of the can.

Still another important specific object 'of the present invention is to.provideimproved apparatus-of the character described in the treatmentof comestibles such as string beans, asparagus and the-like. I

Yet another specific object of the present invention is to provideimproved apparatus of the character described for the subjection of thecans and their contents to any desired degree of temperature with aminimum amount of heating medium and at the same time to enable thecooking of such'con-tents for anyfldesired length of timeWithsubsta'ntially -no agitation of such contents.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the -appended claims This inventionitself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure :1 is a view in side elevation of a vertical cooker-coolerarrangement embodying the present invention. 7

Figure "2 is a plan view thereof taken in the direction indicated bythe-arrows '2-2 in Fig-urel.

Figure 2A is a sectional view taken-substantial ly on the line 2A-2A ofFigure 2.

Figure 2B is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2B-=2;B ofFigure 2.

Figure 3 is a view taken substantially on the line -3--3 of Figure -1showing the transfer valve in elevation.

Figures i and 5 are sectional views taken substantially along the line4-4 of Figure 3 illustrating in enlarged form respectively the upper andthe lower internal parts of thecooker. v

Figure 6 -is a-sectio-nal view taken substantially along the line-6+6of-Figurc 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1--1 ofFigure --1.

Figure 8 isa sectional view takensubstantially along the'line 8-8 ofFigural. V

Figure 9 is asectional view taken-substantially along the -line 99 ofFigure 8 :illustrating only the upper part of the'str-ucture.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along :the-line 99 ofFigure 8 but illustrating only the lower part of the structure.

Figure 1-1 is a perspective view of a descending canway of the righthand cooker unit shown in Figure l. 3

Figure 12 is a perspective view-of the ascending canway of the coolerunit-shown in Figure 1.

In the cooker, cooler arrangements shown herein, cans or containers 10arefed consecutively and continuously to the can inlet {opening oftherotary feed valve 1-2 -.(.-F-igure 3) whoseoutlet is in registry-withthe can inlet opening 13 of the cooker I4 from where they are carried.in a tortuous, sinuous, or serpentine path, indicated by the arrowsIBby a can carrier 19 having a plurality of helicoidal convolutionsembodying important features of the Zpresent invention to the can outletopening l5 of the cookerufrom where they are transferred by the rotarytransfer valve 16 torthe inlet of the cooler H from where, in turn,theyare transferred by a carrier-struts. ture of somewhat differentstructure from that in the cooker to the cooler outlet 'openingi Whilein the cooker I' l, the 'cans or containers III are subjected'to steamunder pressure by virtue, of which the contents of the canware cooked,sterilized or otherwise treated in their passage between the inletopening 13 and the outleteopening f5. These'cans are then, turn, cooledwbyv transferring them, :in conventional manner, while still underpressure through-wife rotary transfer valve 3 to a cooling bath in thecooler II, as examplified in the Thomps'on'U. S. Patent 1,467,960. r a

- The can carrier |9 in-the cooker which in" cludes can propellingmeansin the nature-of star wheels 23, 24 rotatable can tables 23T, MT andstationary canway or can guide means 20 comprising inner and outer canengaging strips 2| and 22, respectively, extends between the inletopening l3 and the outlet opening |5 of the cooker. This can carrier l9,Figurell, in-the cooker is of somewhat different construction fromthecarrier I9A, Figure 12, in the cooler H; the

cans l being allowed to fall due to gravity forces acting thereon fromcan tables 23T, 24T, 23T, etc. in their movement through the cookerwhile in the cooler the cans are moved upwardly in a more continuousmanner onan inclined serpen tine support, as is described in greaterdetail be low. I The can carrier |9A in the cooler (Figure 12) comprisesstar wheels 23A, 24A, stationary canway or can guide means 20A in thenature of inner and outer stationary can end engaging strips 2|A and22A, respectively, the stationary inclined serpentine can table 248arranged to lift a can as it moves therealong and a rotatable can table23S of the same nature as the can table 23T in the cooker. It is notedthat the can carrier l9 in the cooker is identical to the can carrier|9A in the cooler but for the fact that the rotatable can table MT isreplaced by a stationary inclined can table 248 whose edges are atdifferent elevations but in the same plane as the plane of rotation ofthe adjacent can tables 23S (which correspond to tables 23T inthecooker). But for these differences a detailed description of cancarrier l9 niay suifice to describe the can carrier HA, In the completeapparatus, the can carrier means |9, |9A in the cooker and the cooler,respectively, are operated in exact synchronism with the rotary feedvalve l2 and rotary transfer valvehlfi by chain drives, described later,thus enabling the complete apparatus to be operated as a unit withcertainty and safety.

In the cooker, the can guide means, canway, or can guideway 20 (Figures3 and 11) extending between the inlet opening l3 and outlet opening Idefines a helicoidal can path having a'plurality of. convolutions, eachconvolution being defined on the one hand by curved inner sections 2|and rotatable can table 23T and on the other hand by an adjoining curvedouterv section 22' and rotatable can table 24T.

In similar manner, in the cooler, the can guide means, canway, or canguideway 20A (FiguresB and 12) extending between the can inlet opening|3A and can outlet opening |5A defines a helicoidal can path having aplurality of convolutions, each convolution being defined,,on the onehand, bya curved inner section 2 IA and rotatable can table 23S and onthe other hand, by an adjoining-curved outer section 22A and stationaryinclined can table 245,. In other details, corresponding identical partsin the cooker and cooler have identical reference numerals with theletter A'added thereto when such part is in the cooler.

The can propelling means includes a'pair of star wheels in each canwaysection 2|, 231 and 22, MT arranged to engage spaced points on a can andto propel the same, the star wheels in the-inner canway section 2|, 23Teach having the reference numeral 23, and the starwheels in the outer;canwayrsection 22, 24'I- each having the reference numeral 24. It isnoted that each one of the outer starwheels 24, has seven can pocketswhile each one of the inner star wheels 23 has five pockets with thepockets in starwheels 23 located a closer distance to its axis ofrotation than are the pockets in starwheels 24, in which case, since allof the starwheels 23, 24 are driven at the same angular speed, a cantravels at a greater rate of speed inthe inner canway section 2|, 2|than it doeswhen traveling in the outer canway 22, 22 and is thusnecessarily alternately accelerated and decelerated inits movement fromthe outer canway section 22 to the inner canway section 2| and. back tothe outer canway section 22 and so forth. This alternate accelerationand deceleration of a can may cause movement of the liquid containedtherein to equalize temperature gradients inside the can.

The pockets in the inner star wheels 23 are of the same size as those inthe outer star wheels 24 and are so arranged with respect to one anotherthat corresponding spokes thereof are brought into alignment when and asthe wheels 23, 24 are rotated in which case such spokes cooperate withthe propelled'can and the can cooperates with the guideway to shift thepropelled can from a pocket within star wheel 23 to a pocket within starwheel 24 and then back to a pocket in the next star wheel 23 and soforth.

'Because of this cooperation of the guideway in effecting this transferbetweenpockets in the star wheels and since the 'star wheels serve as aguiding means, the can carrier l9, as referred to above, includes boththe star wheels 23, 24 as well as the can end engaging strips 2| and thecorresponding can tables 23T, MT

The canway comprising guides 2|, 22 is stationarily mounted in thecylindrical cooker on a plurality of stationary inner and outersupporting members 25, 26 serving the dual function of canway sectionsupports and steam tubes. These members 25, 26 extend longitudinally ofthe'cylindrical cooker chamber with their 0p-' posite ends fastened tothe spaced stationary headeror end plates 28, 29 which serve to dividethe cooker into three separate fluid tight compartments, namely: astarwheel drive compartment 30; a food treatment compartment 3|; and asteam compartment ormanifold 32 As shown in Figures 4 and 11, thesecanway supporting members 25,26 are hollow throughout a major portion oftheir length to serve as a conduit for the flow of steams'upplied fromthe mani fold 32 and steamv inlet, tube or intake 34 and each has anupper ,clos'ed screw threaded end passing through an aperture i theheader or end plate 28 upon which a fastening nut 35 is mounted. Theother ends of the canway supporting members 25, 26 are each providedwith a flange 36 fastened thereto by welding, shrink fitting or the liketo form a stationary abutment thereon, the flange 36 being affixed nearsuch ends to allow them to project through corresponding apertures inthe header or end plate 29 where they may either make a snug fit withthe header plate apertures or be welded or brazed thereto. Thus, steammay'fiow from the manlfold 3 2 to the food treatment compartment 35through the hollow supporting members 25, 26

each having a plurality of corresponding radial openings 21, 33 spacedalong their lengths so that steam enters compartment 3| at a pluralityof corresponding positions for achieving uniformity of temperature icompartment 3|, it

tubular spacers 66a, 68a. The height of spacers.

43, it; corresponds to the height of a can while the height of spacers6, 68 corresponds to the vertical distance a can is lowered in itspassage from a first inner or outer. can table 2ST, T to acorrespondingsucceeding gcan table 2311-, 241 as the case may be. r

The array of spacers-43, 44, -66a, 68a and corresponding ears 4!, '42 onguide members 2t, 22 are maintained clamped between the stationaryflanges .or abutments 36 on corresponding supporting members 25, 26 andend plate 28 .by

the fastening .nuts with radial apertures in the tubular spacers 43,,'44 and corresponding .radial apertures in the tubular supports 25 2%;aligned asshown in Figure 11, to allow the passage of steam into thefood treatment compartment 3]. Preferably, these apertures are arrangedsoas not to direct .afiow of steam directly onto the cans in the canwaybut in general to I distribute the entering .steam evenly throughout thecompartment 31. After the heat in the steam is transferred to the cansand their contents, the resulting condensed steam or .condens ate fallsto the bottom of compartment 3| from where it may be withdrawn throughthe connecting condensate tube .58, shut .off valve M and a conventionaltype of condensate relief discharge valve (not shown) It is noted that,.in the cooler, the'steam tube 26A (Figure 12), corresponding to tube 26in the cookerserves not onlytosupport the correspond ing inner guide.members 21A .in spaced relationship but serve also to support in likemanner the inclined stationary can table 248 which has at least one.apertured ear clamped between spacers A so as to .maintain oppositeones thereof spaced a distance somewhat greater than the height of acan. If desired, for purposes of rigidity, the table .24Smay be providedwith additional ears which in like manner may be supported on a pair ofouter steam tubes '26.

The inner star wheels 23 (Figures .4 and 1.1) and outer star whee1s1=24together with their corresponding can tables 23.1, 24T are. mounted inpredetermined spaced relationship with respect to one another and toeach other on their drive shafts 4.6, 41, respectively, withcorresponding interposed spacers 43,, T6 and 49, I8 and with the ends ofsuch shafts 4'6, 41 'journaled for rotation, without end play on thespaced end plates 28, 29. i'Ihe spacers 48, 49 serveto space thecorresponding. star wheels '23, .24 a distance somewhat less than theheight of a can so that two of such wheels .are engageable with a canwhile the spacers 16, 18 serve to space to cor:-

responding can tables 23T, 241 from the whees 23, 24. In the cooler,spacers corresponding to spacers 16 are not necessary since there is nocorresponding rotatable can table, the can table z lsbeing stationary.Howeven'if desired, spacers corresponding to spacers 16 may be'mountedcorresponding manner on the shaft 46A in the cooler and with'the'adiacentedges of such spacers 8 forming-an annular-guide groovewithin which a iportionof the can table 2245 may be disposed forincreased bracing thereof.

Eachx-s-tar wheel shaft 46,- 4'! is vjournaled in bearings -50.,-5Imounted on the end plates '28., -23, respecfiv'ely. The particular typeof bearings fit, 5i and their supporting housings may take manydilferent -for-ms and shapes and those shown herein are exemplary ofthose and are preferred 7 The bearing structure '5 on end plate 29 in.-cludesan outer ring housin member 52::having a fastening flangetorrreleasably fastening .it by bolts 53 thereto a position determinedby the centering pin 5c which is screw threadedly mounted on plate 29with its conical pointed end extending upwardly into the cooperatingconical opening in the end of the .star wheel shaft to therebyaccurately locate'the same in assembly operations. The inner cylindricalmember of the thrust ball bearing member 53 is recessed in the end ofthe star wheel shaft with the outer member of the bearing member 63snugly received within the housing'li'Z and with a coil compressionspring 55 normally compressing the packing 56 into engagement with thebearing member 63 to .form a seal, the spring L55 bein seated againstthe releasable split ring '51 disposed within 'an annular recess in thehousing member 52.

The other bearing structurefor the star wheel shaft on end plate28'inclu'de's a needle bearing 50 having its inner annular rotatable"portion recessed "in a reduced section of the star wheel shaft and .itsouter movable member engaging both the outer cylindrical housing 59 anda downwardly extending ring on "the cap 60 which is releasably securedto the housing 59 by bolts. The housing 53 has an annular flange, whichin turn is releas'ably secured to the endplate 28 by bolts 62. "In order'to'assure "a steam-tight seal, packing "54 is pressed in thedirectionof the neodle bearin 50 by-the -coil compression spring havingone of its ends pressing against the packing 64 and the other one of itsends pressing against "the split retaining rin "66 releasably mounted inan annular groove in the housing member 59. 1

Each star whee'lshaft 4'], 118 base longtudin'al'ly extending flatsurface intermediate its ends, "as shown in Figures '4 and ll, whichcooperates with a corresponding fiat internal face on the star wheels23,2 1, can table's 231241 and tubular spacers threaded thereonv toassure turningot these elements when and asthe star wheel shafts aredriven. In order to prevent longitudin'al movemen't of the-star wheelsand their spacers on their corresponding drive shaft, the tstac'k ofassembled star wheels, can tables, and spacers aremairitetined pressedas a unit against the shoulder 61 on the star Wheel shaft by the'fastenin'g nut 6 9 threaded thereon.

The end plates '28, 29 are releasably secured by bolts ill to thecorrespondin flange of the L -sha;ped ring member-s1 I 12, respectively,whose diameters are slightly less than the "internal diameter of thecylindrical "shell 13 housing "the canway '20 and project therein, thesering members Ti (-72 being secured to the shell 13 by rivets. These endplates-2'8, 29 are dish'ed or cup-shaped as shown in Figures 4 and 5 andare normally covered by the releasable drive compartment cover #4andreleasable steam manifold cover 15. respectively, which aremaintained in positionby' the same boltsl'll.

The cylindrical she'll 13 within which the cancylindrical housing I3.

way'20 and star wheels 23, 24 are thus mounted is supported on theclosure member I4, the axis of the shell extending in a verticaldirection.

The inlet valve I2 and transfer valve I6 releasably secured to thecylindrical shell I3 by .bolts may both be of the type shown in theThompson U. S. Patent 1,978,656, with longitudinally extending packingplates I9 in grooves on the outer ends of the rotatable valve teeth orfingers 80 and with a crank and roller on rotatable shaft 82, whichroller moves ina camway toactuate the shaft 82 and ejector plate 83attached thereto when it is adjacent opening I3 to discharge a cantherein from the corresponding pocket of therotatable valve, all asexplained in Patent 1,978,656. These packing plates I9 cooperate withthe inner cylindrical face of the valve housing 8| to form a steam tightseal. The desirability of such a steam tight seal, especially betweenthe cooker and cooler, is made manifest upon the followinconsiderations. I The inlet and transfer valves I2 and I6 respectively,are each removably mounted on the cylindrical housing 13' by boltspassing through'ears integrally formed thereon with their ends screwthreaded in flanges on bracket members 83a, 831), respectively, which inturn are riveted to the The rotatable shaft of each one of these rotaryvalves I2, I6 has-keyed thereto a corresponding sprocket wheel 84,95.

sprocket wheel MA on the rotatable shaft of the rotary outlet valve I2Aof the cooler, and back to the wheel 84 in an endless path. Sprocketwheel 81 has its shaft 88 journaled for rotation on the cover member I4(Figure 2A), and coupled to the star wheel drive to provide a drivingconnection to the star wheel drives and rotatable can tables in thecooker and cooler driven respectively by the sprocket wheels I22,I22A'over which the endless driving chain I 24:.passes. as well as overthe sprocket wheel I25 on the same shaft 88 as is the sprocket wheel 81.

Shaft 88 is supported for rotation at its lowe end in the cup-shapedbearing member I25 and at a point intermediate its end on bracket member.I'26,the bearing members I 25a, I26 being supported on cover member I4.

The sprocket members I22, I22A are rotatably supported on theircorresponding cover members 14;, 14A, as shown in Figure 2B. The outerend of shaft I2I is journaled for rotation. in the free end of bracketmember I28 which is releasably secured to the-cover member I4 while anintermediate portion of shaft I21 is journalled .for rotation in thebearing housin I04 which has an outer closure member I05 arranged tomaintain packing material I06 therebetween in contact with the rotatableshaft I21 to form a steam tight seal. t

The star wheels and rotatable can tables in both the cooker and coolerare thus coupled as explained in greater detail immediately below withreference to Figure-'7, to the corresponding driving sprocket 91, 91A.on corresponding shafts I21, [21A through chains 98,.98A, respectively;It 'is noted again atthis time that corresponding or identical parts inthe cooker and cooler have identical reference numerals with the letterA appended thereto when the part is in the cooler. Chain 98, as shown inFigure 7, besides passing over the driving sprocket-91 passes, in turn,over the star wheel drive sprockets I00, IOI keyed respectively on theends of the inner and outer star wheel drive shafts 46, 41.

The star wheel drive shafts in the cooker and cooler are thusintergeared so that the cans move through the canways in the cooker andcooler at exactly the same average linear speed. Also, therotary inletvalve I2 and rotary transfer valve I6 are driven so that the pocket ineach therein travel at exactly the same speed of movement as the.average speed of the cans in the canway of the cooker and cooler.

In order to facilitate movements of the cans I0 from the cooker to thevalve I 6 they are brought into engagement with the stripper plate I09which is inclined to direct such cans from the cooker canway outlet I5into the opening I08 and into a pocket of the valveI6. Thus, the cansare successively ejected from the cooker into the pockets of-the valveI6 as it reaches the outlet of the cooker and move in the directionindicated by the arrows H0; The stripper plate I09 may have its innerend welded to the stationary housing of valve I6 or fastened thereto bybolts as 'shownin Figure 6. I

Each can is moved "by the rotatable wheel of valve I6 in the valvecasing through a short space between the outlet of the cooker and'theinlet of the cooler'at which latter point it is ejected by the camactuated ejector plates in the manner explained previously and also inthe above mentioned Patent 1,978,656 from the pocket-of the valvewheel'through the inlet opening H2 in the valve casing into the canwayin the cooler, and is then moved through the canway in the cooler to theoutlet thereof by the can carrier I9A described previously.

Thus, the can cooking and cooling operations may be performedcontinuously and the cooking i and cooling chambers may be tightlyclosed so that any desired pressure above atmospheric may be maintainedtherein so that the contents of the cans may be cooked at any desiredtemperature.

It is apparent that the linear speed of a can through the cooker andcooler may be controlled by controlling the speed of the drive motor 99.For example, the speed of the driving motor 89 may be decreasedbyconventional means (not shown) when the contents, such as meats, re-

quire a longer cooking period.

An important feature characterizing the cooker shown hereinresides inthe provision of the rotatable can tables in both the 'cooker'and thecooler andthe stationary inclined ramps 243 in the cooler. Theserotatable can tables are each essentially an enlarged star Wheel havingadjacent radial fingers spaced to engage circular edges of the can andyet allow the circular ends thereof to bulge out when pressure isdeveloped in the can to thereby prevent abrasion and resultin detinningof the bulging ends. For the same purpose, namely, to avoid detinning ofthe can ends the inclined ramps 248 have spaced arcuate rails 24Xthereon. The rotatable can tables in the cooker are each at differentelevations and are progressively of lower elevation in the direction ofthe path of a can through the canway so that the can in 'its transit isprogressively dropped dOWI'IIiIOm one can table to the next; This dropbetween can tables is of suchdistan'ce that this distance multiplied bythe number of can tables assess:

1 tinned. 'copending application when: used. as. a vertical. cooler'or:cooker: may produce gradual upward continuous movement or a. can along;a spiral: inclined plane, the carrier in the. cooler present apparatus:accomplishes the same: result in a less continuous manner in that upwardmovement of the cans: occur; only when traveiing. onZthe inclined ramps:24S, movement. of the cans on the. associated tables 238 being inahorizontal 1'2 eachiconvolutionhaving a pliu'alityofi' curvedsectionsgastairwheeli each section arranged to engage.- and. to. propel cans insaid canway;v said canway including; a rotatable can table. in.alternate ones of said. curved. sections upon which a can rests whilebeing propelled. alternate can tablesin alternate sections beingprogressively of different. elevation 'and inclined ramps disposedbetween saidv corresponding ones of said rotatable plane. 10 can tablesto. raise a can; from one can. table: to

Thus, the carrierin the cooker, shown herein; the-nextcantable. isuseful whenthe cans? aremoved. in a descending 6.. In. apparatus ofthecharacter described, a path; Difierent. structure: is used to move:the chamber: having an. inlet? and an outlet, a hellcan'sinzanascendin'g path. coidal. canway extending between said inlet. andWhile the; particular: embodiments: of the pres- 15 sai'daoutlet and:having. a plurality of convolutions, ent: inventionhave. been shown. and"described; eaclr convolution having a plurality-of curvedisecit will beobvious to those skilled the art that tions,.. rotatable: meansincludingcan carrying changes and. modifications may be made. withoutmeans in alternate sections arranged to carry. and departing from thisinvention. in its broader to: propel cans. along said-,canway with themovaspects and; therefore, the aim in theappended go able: can carryingmeans of said alternate secclaims is to cover'all such changes, andmodifications being at different elevation, an inclined strip ticns asfall within the true spirit and scope :of extending betweenv saidalternate can. carrying this invention. means. with theterminatingedges'ofi said strip at l claim: elevation: corresponding. to theelevationv of the 1. In apparatus of the character. described; the 25adjacent can carrying means, steam tubes within combination comprisinga.- chamber having an said chamber arranged to support said: strip; andinlet and an outlet, and a-v helicoid'al container spacer, means.on'said steam tube arranged: to guideway extending betweensaid: inlet;and said space: adjacent strips of adjacent convolutionsat outlet,said-- guideway having, in one convolution a distance slightly greaterthan. the height-oi a thereof, a plurality of. curved sections, saidg-uide- 3 can. way including rotatable can tables. in eachbne 7.. Inapparatus. of the. character described,.a of saidcurved sections uponwhich a. can. rests chamberhaving an inlet opening of relatively lowwhile being moved'along saidguideway. elevation within which cans are.moved a. gen:- 2. In apparatus ofthe character described aeralidownwardly direction, a helicoidal canguidechamber having an inlet.and an outlet, a heli- 35 W y h vi a; p h Extending en Said; inletcoidal canway' extending between; said inlet and openineand' said t pine d av cr p said outlet and having a luralit of'conv-olutions, r ity'0f v l tio h. nvol mpri each convolution having a plurality of curvedswp 'l ty of adj g Curved Sections, and sections, and means in each.section. arranged to means located in each section arranged to enengageand to propel cans said canway, said =10 ge andprop Cans along saidguideway, d canway includingv a rotatable can table alteruid w yincluding ov can Supporting nate: ones ofsaict curved section 11pm};whmh. a means located in each onev of said sections, said can restswhile being, propelled, the rotatable movable can supp r n ea n jacentSeccan tables in alternate sections being progrestions being ofdifierent elevation to allow such sively of. difierent-elevation-,.saidcanwayincluddownward movement of a can when a can i's ing a curved ramparranged toelevate cans. be llransferled th b t y Said p p tweenalternate rotatablecan: tables; meansr 3-. In apparatus ofthe characterdescribed, the In apparatus the Character described, a combinationcomprising a. chamber-having an. Chambenhaving an inlet and an outlet,a, heliinlet. and an outlet, and: a helia0idall container co da-l canuideway havi a s p p th' guideway extendin b t ee s id, t, a -i tendingbetween said inlet: and said outlet and outlet, saidgu-ideway having, inone-'convdlution having a "p y of com/01111310115, h 0116 Of thereof, aplurality of curved sectionasaid guide:- saii COIIVOlutTOnS comprising ap y way including e ate Stationary ramps-and joining. curved sectionsandmeans located in alalternate: rotatable can tables in. corresponding 1;;ternate ones of-said' section's arranged to e g alternate curved s cti nand propelrcansi along said: guideway; said guide- 4. In apparatus ofthe character described gth'e y including means pp t cans in Said-alcombination comprising a ch-amber havinganiinternate "ones. of saidsections, said supporting let. and an outlet, and.v a helicoidal.container means being arranged o va a an as is'proguideway extendingbetween said-inlet and. said cc planed-along a d Suppbrting means'bySaid p outlet, said guidewa-y having in one. convolution p ll fl ea sithereof, a plurality of curved discontinuous sec- 9-IIl apparatus.Character described, tions, with adjoining sections overlying and. ver-Ch e h v an et Op g of relatively low tically spaced a greaterdistancerthan. the; height elevation and an outlet opening of relativelyhigh of a container intended to travel therealong to elevation Withinwhich cans are moved in a genthereby define a corresponding plurality ofdis continucusjunctions along thepa-th of the guideway atwhich junctionsa container is moved from a higher one oi said sections: to a lower oneof said sections solely by the actionv of gravity iorcesacton saidcontainer.

5.1m.- apparatus of the character described, a

' chamber having, an inlet and an outlet, at helicoidal canway extendingbetween said: inletand said outlet and having a plurality of.ccnvolntions,

eral upward direction, and a helicoidal can guideway having a pathextending between said inlet opening and said outlet opening and havinga plurality of convolutions, each one of said. convoluticns comprising aplurality of curved adjoining 1 sections, said guideway including meansarranged to support a can in alternate'ones' of said sections, said.supporting means being-arranged simultaneously to elevate a can as itmoves therealong.-

10.,In apparatus-of the character described, a

way including a rotatable can table'in each one of said curved sectionsupon which a can rests while being propelled, adjacent rotatable cantables in adjacent sections being progressively of different elevation.

11'. In apparatus of the character described,

the'combination comprising: a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, anda helicoidal container guideway in communication with said inlet andoutlet having a central axis with a plurality of convolutions about saidcentral axis, each convolution of said helicoidal guideway having con-14 tiguous portions thereof which extend progressively radially inwardlyand radially outwardly with respect to said central axis of saidhelicoidal guideway.

' FRANK WILHELM KRUEGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re 20,530 Walker .1 Oct. 12, 1937843,893 Hawkins Feb. 12, 1907 1,762,129 Colbert June 3, 1930 2,344,184Thompson Mar. 14, 1944 2,363,818

Thompson 1 Nov. 28, 1944

